ooX ✘ and i- i took the one less traveled by [ location: gatas castle | visual ]

[herquietude]

As she stirs, it's almost immediately clear to Petrana that she isn't where she belongs. This is not Riva, nor any of the bedchambers she's most accustomed to occupying there or elsewhere. She considers this new development in her situation with slightly more tranquility than might be expected of her, her hands folded on her stomach as she regards

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[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

Doul is very good at doing what he's told and it shows in how he follows instructions without hesitation. However, it is worth noting that he has examined this new Petrana with a critical eye. Similar, but definitely not the same woman.

"Taxon is run, but not ruled by, a group of beings from yet another world. We do not know their reasons or motivations for action, but some suspect it to be entertainment- or education-based. Occasionally, they 'change' the things that we are accustomed to. Your current situation, known as a 'glitch', is one such change. We met during a previous occasion where we were forced to confront perfectly real images of something or someone that frightened us," he says, but does not elaborate. "In as far as I am aware, there are no others of your world here."

"My world, Bas-Lag, is a great, sprawling thing with many, many races of humans, xenians, hellkin, elementals, and other beings. I was originally an unneeded third son, then a scientist, then press-ganged into mercenary service -- where I remained for over a decade at sea."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[herquietude]

The look on her face is a touch inscrutable when he refers to her world and the lack of anyone else from it - almost wry, maybe, but very much like she's putting a number of things together in her mind and hasn't yet decided what they mean or whether or not she intends to share her thoughts at all.

"No Elenes," she interprets, half to herself, as she listens to the rest of what he says. "I see. And so, if I'm following you, you are resident here, whereas I myself am a visitor...?"

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

"Yes, I believe that to be the case. I cannot swear to it, but as far as I've seen, people are occasionally 'swapped out' for an alternate of themselves coming from a different, but plausible future." There's some sort of quiet, strange emotion in his voice.

"You are similar, but not identical to the Lady Petrana I serve. You are younger than her and have a scar she does not."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[herquietude]

"Am I indeed?" Her fingers brush the edge of the scar where it reaches her jaw and she sits down now as well, crossing one leg over the other and treating the settee like a throne. "Tell me how we differ, please. I've known other worlds exist for quite some time now, but I can't say that I'd encountered anything like what you describe."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

"Other than the two things I have stated, I do not know either of you so well that I can describe, in detail, many of the differences. I did not feel it my place to ask more about the countess than necessary, but I do know that she married late in life and misses her children. She is connected to the Pandion and Alcione knights." For the time being, he is going to leave out his own observations about her personality and mannerisms.

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[herquietude]

The revelation of the Alciones is enough to make Petra laugh, startled, and she regards him with a speculative sort of an air. "I imagine that explains the Deiran castle, I was wondering. So she married an Alcione, did she? She must have. What a thing to do."

She taps her fingers restlessly against the upholstery before flattening her hand and straightening. "Well, allow me to introduce myself, Uther of the Deadhouse Doul. I am Lady Petrana, royal advisor to King Belgarion and Queen Ce'Nedra of Riva, and their world is the first I've traveled to besides my own; this is now the second. I'm older than I look, my dear mercenary, and the scars I gained some ten years ago when my husband failed spectacularly and we all paid for it with our lives. I was never a countess, though I could have been a margravine once."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

Doul takes that all in and gives her another critical look after her admission of death. She doesn't look like any of the Dead he's known, but then again, her world is not his own.

"It is good to meet you, Lady, and as I have said, while my contract is with the other Lady Petrana, I will serve you just as I would her."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[herquietude]

"I have to tell you that I think I will approve of her choice in you," she says, smiling blandly when he examines her. "Though I am a little startled by it."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

"Oh? Why do you say that?" He says gently and looking rather amused at the changes in Lady Petrana.

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[herquietude]

"My husband was a mercenary," Petra tells him dryly, "and my daughter grew up guarded by paid men in our compound. Had I married a man who stayed a knight, well. I don't imagine he'd approve so well."

That might partially explain the ladies' very different reactions to his line of work.

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

"Ah," he says as if it explains it all. "I see."

Yet again, Doul finds himself vaguely relieved that neither of the Petranas' husbands are in Taxon and scowling at him.

"Is there anything else I can do for you, Lady?"

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[herquietude]

"Yes, actually. Would you be so kind as to tell me where the Count and Countess's studies are?"

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

"Of course," he says before describing the route to get there, and mentioning that her tablet can also be used to create dynamic maps. How convenient this technology is.

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[herquietude]

"How very useful," she observes of it. "Not magic, either, unless I'm listening at the wrong time."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

"No, it is not. Most of what Taxon produces is done through very advanced science, although some people here practice both magic and a sort of magic that blends with technology." His sword might fall into that latter category.

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[herquietude]

"I've never in my life seen science so advanced. Enchantments, certainly, but scientists are still mostly far behind us...it's intriguing. I wonder if I could take any of these innovations back, if I could understand any of them..."

Petra, a minute ago you wanted to snoop through Davidias's desk. Focus.